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Tennessee prosecutors announced Friday that they would take a fresh look at the work of a detective who, as a Baptist pastor, reportedly delivered homophobic sermons.
Det. Knox County Sheriff Grayson Fritts said during a sermon last weekend that homosexuals are "monsters" and "disfellows" who are "worthy of death" and should be tried and executed by the government, according to the affiliate of NBC WBIR in Knoxville.
Charm Allen, the prosecutor of the 6th judicial district, which includes Knox County, said she found Frits' words "personally hurtful and reprehensible."
Fritts resigned from the sheriff's department two weeks ago after 19 years of service.
"My constitutional obligation is to protect the integrity of the justice system," Allen said in a statement to NBC News on Friday.
"When a potential witness in criminal proceedings expresses an opinion of hatred and / or bias towards a class of citizens, I am morally bound to explore the credibility of this witness." review all pending cases involving Mr. Fritts for close examination for any potential bias ".
The Knoxville Sentinel reported that 10 ongoing cases involved work at Fritts.
"I have dedicated my career to the belief that justice is blind and that everyone is entitled to equal protection of the law," Allen said. "I have always pursued and will continue to prosecute in a fair and equitable manner, on the basis of law and evidence, without prejudice, prejudice or discrimination of any kind."
We could not immediately join Fritts for a comment on Friday. But he told reporters outside his All Scripture Baptist church earlier this week that he wished other pastors would talk as he did.
"I am not an anomaly. I am a Baptist preacher who only preaches the Bible and if it offends society, then it will offend him, but if all these other pastors develop the spine … and stand up as if I was standing up, " did he declare. journalists.
Fritts insisted that he did not want harm to touching homosexuals.
The detective has taken a voluntary redemption from the department and is on paid sick leave until July 19, when the buyout begins, officials said.
"I want to be very clear about the fact that it is my duty to provide equal protection to ALL citizens of Knox County, Tennessee, in accordance with the law, my oath and the Constitution of the United States, without discrimination or hesitation, "according to a statement from Sheriff Tom Spangler. .
"Rest assured that I have and will continue to do so," said Spangler.
Ali Gostanian contributed.
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